Rogers County Human Resources Director Jenny Bennett (far left) explained her job duties and how she has helped her county save tens of thousands of dollars during her tenure. Also shown (L-R) are Deputy County Clerk Michelle Baker, County Clerk Barbara Barnes, District #2 Commissioner Tom Sanders and District #3 Commissioner Danny Duncan.
JAY, Okla. – Delaware County Commissioners were busy with lawsuits during their regular meeting Tuesday morning; both receiving and trying to avoid them. They received and forwarded to the county’s insurer three new lawsuits; one filed by a former inmate at the jail, one filed by former sheriff deputies, and one filed by a former 911 dispatcher.
The former inmate, Lucretia Jo White, has filed a civil rights violation complaint in federal court, similar to the one that the county settled for $13 million in November of 2011. White is claiming that she was raped while an inmate and that the sheriff should have trained his employees better.
The second lawsuit involves a complaint by eight former sheriff deputies who are seeking compensation time under the Fair Labor Standards Act, claiming breach of contract for wages, and unfair treatment.
In the third lawsuit, Serena Bradley is claiming a violation of her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act.
In an effort to avoid future lawsuits, commissioners and the county Budget Board are considering hiring a Human Resources director. Both groups met Tuesday morning with Jenny Bennett, the Human Resources Director for Rogers County, to find out if an HR person would help Delaware County. She explained her duties and told how her job has helped Rogers County tremendously.
District #2 Commissioner Tom Sanders said he felt like the county needs an intermediary to make sure hiring and firing is done correct. “I have a feeling we’re skipping a lot of steps.” But hiring and firing were only two of a myriad of duties that Bennett said she performs. Training employees and county officers in how the law requires that individuals are treated was probably the biggest duty that she outlined that could really benefit Delaware County.
Of course the county officers expressed concern about the expense of hiring an HR director; however, Bennett said her job has saved Rogers County tens of thousands of dollars. County Clerk Barbara Barnes agreed that an HR person would pay for the position. “I feel like some small steps could reap big benefits.”
In the end, the budget board took no action to hire an HR director, but they are planning to keep exploring the possibility. “I’d like us to continue this discussion,” said Commissioner Sanders.
In other county business, the commissioners:
∙ Approved a $50,000 STOP grant application for the Sheriff’s Office to pay the salary of a domestic violence investigator;
∙ Approved a $49,993 REAP grant application for Colcord Public Schools to renovate the Dan Draper Community Center;
∙ Approved a $50,000 REAP grant application for the Delaware County Fair Board to renovate the county fair barn;
∙ Approved renewing membership in Northeast Oklahoma Rural Alliance to foster economic development;
∙ Received, opened, reviewed and forwarded bids to the Grove Fire Department for a boat trailer and boat and a motor for the boat;
∙ Approved advertisement for purchase of bunker gear for the Eucha Fire Department;
∙ Voted to extend the start date for replacing flooring at the Delaware County Community Center, and;
∙ Approved the annual services agreement between the county and Oklahoma State University for the county extension office.